Mini Doilies

 During the summer I worked up some new designs for my Etsy shop. I showed you some of my new listings a few weeks ago. One I didn't post was this sweet little coaster doily. It's been listed since July, but I hadn't sold any. That's just the way it goes sometimes. It's hard to say what will catch someone's eye.

And then, this past weekend I got a request for a custom order from someone who wanted 20 of them, but made up in different colors! She wanted ecru with dainty pink, mint green, soft orange, baby blue, and soft yellow-- 4 of each color. I was thrilled. I love to work with colors.

Before I started crocheting them, I sent her a picture of the thread colors to make sure that's what she had in mind. It was. "The colours are perfect!" she said. (She's from Australia where, apparently, they add an extra u to the word color.)

I loved how they turned out. The ecru really makes the pastels pop, I think. 

As I've been working on them, I couldn't help speculating. I wonder why she wanted 20? I wonder why she wanted those colors? I wonder if they are for a wedding or another special event? What would you use them for?

Just for fun, I made up an extra one in burgundy and ecru. I think it would be a pretty Christmas accent.

The sage green one, which was the first one I made back in the summer, goes perfectly with the Coca-Cola theme in my kitchen. As you can tell, I love sage green.

Which is your favorite color combination?

Pumpkin Card Freebie

Isn't this card adorable? My friend Barbara creates lovely hand-crafted greeting cards and she's trying to get her business off and running. For the next 4 days (until October 14) she is offering a free pumpkin card to everyone who follows her blog. Mine came yesterday and I just thought it was so cute, I wanted to share it with you. Just visit juspassinthrough.blogspot.com and click to Follow in the side-bar. Barbara has lots of other beautiful designs you could order for special occasions.

New Crochet Projects

I love to try out new crochet patterns, especially smaller projects that work up quickly and are easy to take along in the car. Here are some new wash cloths and pot holders I experimented with this summer. Now available in my Etsy shop... just in time for early Christmas shopping!

 Flower Wash Cloths

 Tunisian Crochet Wash Cloths

Citrus Wash Cloths

 Rose Pot Holder

 Daisy Corner Wash Cloths

Chicken Pot Holders

What are your favorites? I always like to get input on colors and styles.

The Workbasket (Installment #14)

Time for some more scans from my collection of vintage Workbasket magazines, this one from June 1953. (Which I guess I should have posted in June, huh?) Anyway, 60 years ago.

 "Here is a hat which will keep you looking cool on the warmest days and is a perfect match for those casual summer dresses." So, I'm supposed to believe that wearing one of these fetching little numbers will keep me cooler than wearing no hat at all? Oh, wait! It says "...keep you looking cool..." That's entirely different. I definitely want to look cool in my casual summer dresses. Better whip me up one or three.

This is apparently what they considered "Air-Conditioned Driving" 60 years ago, before real air-conditioning  was a standard option in most cars. "You'll drive cool as a breeze through the hottest summer months with Cool Rest at your back! And there'll be no more wet sticky clothing, either!" Bless their hearts!

 This "Surprise Package For The Non-expectant" is "real fun"! Can't you just see the 1953 housewives giggling over the cleverness of the idea?

 I'm sorry, but I can't imagine that a inflatable pool that's only 42 inches across and 8 inches deep would "hold up to 8 children comfortably" and no, I don't call that "GIANT" either. (However, they do offer larger sizes at the bottom.) The fine prints says: "A private swimming pool all their own for your kids to splash in. Endless fun with all the different ways they can play--cooling carefree frolic in the water plus the added joy of bouncing on the broad air-cushioned seat." Yeah, how "endless" do you think the fun would be with 8 kids bouncing on the sides of the thing? But... it does come with a "free maintenance kit" so I guess you can just keep repairing it every time it deflates, huh? For "only $2.98" what did you expect?

 Let me see... If I sell 9 tubes of wonderful Genevieve Bedford's Creme Shampoo... (Wonder who Genevieve Bedford was? A shampoo guru, I guess.) ...at 89 cents each, I'd need to send in $8.01 for my aluminum pitcher "ABSOLUTELY WITHOUT COST." That seems kinda high to me at 1953 prices. But then, that does include all those tubes of shampoo, too. But I'd hafta get out and sell 'em to raise the money. Hmm... not sure I need a Cheerio pitcher that bad.

Speaking of 1953 prices, there's at least one thing that has amazingly not been hit by inflation over the years-- a ball point pen! The "sensational ball point pen" (with "actual photo") is an "unbelievable value! Not one--not three--but EIGHT Ball Point pens for $1." 

Guess what? I saw a package of not one-- not three-- not eight--but TEN ball point pens on sale at Wal-Mart just last week for $1! Better hurry over and stock up while they are still available at less than 1953 prices!

 This month's Women Who Make Cents column includes ideas for painting dog portraits on hankies, gluing "any bright colored feathers I have on hand" onto paper for stationery, and painting "different designs" on hand-made aprons. First of all, I don't think I could paint a dog portrait that anyone would want on their hanky... nor do I just happen to have bright colored feathers on hand. The apron thing? Well, maybe. If I liked to sew. Which I don't. So this month's suggestions to "add to the family income" are pretty worthless to me.

 I do like looking at the dainty dress patterns from long ago, though.

Hope you've enjoyed this bit of nostalgia. Which snippet did you like best?

Denim 'n' Lace Quilt

The weeks of summer race by so fast that I'm too busy gettin'-out-and-doin' to take time to get it all blogged about. Time for some catch-up, I guess, huh?

A month or two ago I happened across a picture of a gorgeous totebag on Pinterest that gave me the idea for a quilt. My mother has been on a quilt-making "kick" for the past 3 or 4 years. Knowing she and Dad were coming out for a visit soon, I emailed her a link and a note: "Got any lace scraps? I got the denim!"

And... being the life-time, frugal, saver-of-everything-practical... sure enough, she did! Her reply: "That is beautiful!  And I just might have lace.  I got rid of a large box full at the yard sale, but I think there is still a sample book or two of lace still in the basement.  That would be perfect because the pieces would be large enough, yet varied."

The denim Lyle provided in the dozen or so pairs of jeans he had recently discarded, as being too worn for further wear as work pants. Taking a cue from my mother, I had hung on to them for just such a project.

Mother found her sample books of lace panels and packed them her suitcase. A day or two after they arrived, we set to work. 

After Mother figured out the pattern, I did most of the cutting and marking.

She did all of the sewing, of course.

And we marveled as it began to come together. The fun thing was both sides were finished as it was assembled because that's how the Cathedral Window pattern works.

The amount of denim and lace we had ended up being just enough for a nice back-of-the-couch throw.

We left the raw edges of the denim deliberately, just to give it a nice country feel. I haven't washed it yet, but when I do the edges should fringe a bit and fluff up nicely.

We think it turned out beautifully! Mother wants to make another one featuring fabric from some of Daddy's shirts. I can't wait to see how that turns out. Hopefully I can show you when she gets it done.

Project Planning

Many hours in the car this spring have resulted in several completed crochet projects. I've enjoyed working on some larger projects this past winter and spring, after crocheting dozens of mug cozies and washcloths for my Etsy shop before Christmas. I'll share pictures soon. In the meantime, as you've probably figured out if you follow me on Pinterest, I've been deliberating over crochet patterns and designs trying to decide what to work on next. I'd like to branch out with some new items in my shop... and I'd love your feedback! I sorted through all the inspirational pictures I had saved to my "Crochet Ideas" category (over 400! yikes!) into more specific folders. If you have a few minutes, feel free to browse the following lists and let me know what you think. 

Crochet Blankets and Throws

Crochet for Baby

Crochet Hats and Headbands

Crochet Home Decor

Crochet Jewelry and Accessories

Crochet Potholders and Washcloths

Crochet Purses and Bags

Crochet Scarves and Gloves

Crochet Shawls and Shrugs

Crochet Slippers and Socks

Crochet Toys and Novelties

Crochet Wardrobe

Do you crochet? 

Do you like crocheted items? 

What do you think would be popular in my shop? 

I'd love to know!

Artsy Collections

It's been awhile since I've showed you what I've been up to on Etsy. Just this past week some of the items from my shop have been featured in several beautiful treasury collections. It's always so fun to see the variety of beautiful items available on Etsy. Sometimes things pop up in treasury collections that I would have never thought to search for. Check out all the neat products that have been assembled with my very own washcloths and mug cozies in these collections:

Forest Cotton

Denim Blues

shades of blue

lemon up

Gifts for her ~ Sage Green

 Bright and Mellow Yellow

Flower Arranging

Saturday morning Laura and I attended the monthly ladies meeting at church. Laura wasn't too sure she wanted to go, but when she found out that a friend of ours was going to be demonstrating flower arranging, she decided that sounded like fun. We were each supposed to bring a bud vase and a pair of scissors.

First, our friend (a former florist) showed how to arrange a dozen roses. I picked up several tips from her. She told us that roses need a fresh cut every time they are out of water because the stems "seals" back up within 10 seconds. So it's important to cut the stem right before you put them back in water. I had known you were supposed to cut them again, but I hadn't known about the "10 second rule" or understood why. She also showed us how to weave leaves of fern together to make a nice base for the arrangement. And then how to arrange 6 roses around the bottom of the arrangement, then 5 in the middle, and then one at the top with greenery as she went along, and  adding filler last.

After the demonstration we were all invited to make our own arrangement using one rose and whatever greenery and filler we wanted. It was interesting to me to see how different everyone's arrangements looked with just one rose. And it was fun to get to take our arrangements home with us.

The Workbasket (Installment #13)

The next issue of The Workbasket that I have is from March 1953-- almost exactly 60 years ago. The only comment I'll make as to the cover is that women's foundation garments in the 1950s were very different from what they are now. Goodness!

 The popularity of cheap, synthetic fabrics amuses me. "This striking fast color makes unusual blouses, curtains, underwear, etc." Wonder what "Green Foliage Pattern Color" looks like, anyway? Can't you just see the housewife's blouse matching her curtains and underwear? I'll say that's unusual!

 "Not a Cold or Heat Wave! Not a Wave Set!" What exactly is it, then? I can't quite tell. "MAGIC CURLERS have a built-in Dupont Sponge Reservoir that holds special, safe curling solution, then releases it quickly, evenly, smoothly in your hair." I still don't understand. Some kind of goop, apparently. I guess I should just accept that it's "MAGIC" and let it go at that. (Notice the "foundation garment" in the illustration?)

 "Easter Bunny and Easter Chick are for a little girl or boy to wear on a lapel in the Easter parade. Besides being bright and clever costume keynotes, the little felt pins will each securely hold a few coins, which makes them doubly useful. Choose your own colors, or make them like our models, with a black hat and white bunny; and a white egg and yellow chick with bright purple cap." Either I'm color blind, or they're mistaken! Is it just me, or is that a red egg and a gray chick with a bright red cap? And why does the chick even have a hat? With a feather in it, no less?

 From the "Women Who Make Cents" department... I'm glad I'm not friends with Mrs. Don C. Harvey! No telling what gossip she would report about me!

 I can't quite make out how this "new invention" is different from the old way of making rice... but something must have caught on. I never heard of changing water or transferring to a colander when making rice. My rice always turns out just as described: "Each grain is separate, tender, non-starchy." (Except, of course, when I burn it, but that doesn't happen too often.) Maybe I have one of these new inventions and didn't even realize it. I just call it a pan.

 Here's a way to garner "spare time earnings" with "no canvassing, no selling, no 'make-it-yourself,' no abusing the good will of your friends..." Yeah, somehow I have a hard time believing that I would "find women all over town flocking to [my] doorstep bringing [me] good cash, and thanking [me] for the privilege." I'm pretty sure it would fall under "abusing the good will of [my] friends."

 Becky has been watching old episodes of Hopalong Cassidy on Netflix lately, and I can promise you, this inflatable toy does not "look just like his famous horse, Topper!" No doubt a kid would have fun playing on it, and pretending to be a cowboy, but he'd really have to use his imagination to think it's anything like a real horse. Of course, kids are very creative in that regard, so I guess it's all right.

"A set of these gay chicks nestling over the eggs at your Easter breakfast table will start the day with smiles." Assuming the traditional definition of the word "gay" to mean "happy"... which is what I'm sure they meant. Um. No. I'm not seeing it. Sinister? Grumpy? Maybe. I think the eyes need to be re-worked.

In conclusion, here's the dress pattern page with lovely 1950s fashions to admire.

What's your favorite "piece" from this issue? I'd really like to know!

The Workbasket (Installment #12)

It recently occurred to me that I never did finish sharing my collection of vintage Workbasket magazines. It's time-consuming to choose and scan the "precious" little tid-bits from each issue, but oh-so-much-fun to share.

So let's see... looks like we're ready for September 1952.

Crocheted hats are kinda in right now. Just trying to visualize how that one would look made up with today's yarns. Yeah, I'm not seeing it. Maybe with a different flower? Eh. Maybe not.

"Need Money?" Of course you do. You know you do! "Everyone wants greeting cards, stationery and gifts." Whew! I'm so glad they finally came out with "the line that fills that need." So peer closely at the items in the stocking. Which of those do you need? In case you can't make out what each thing is, they are helpfully labeled and coded with a number. If it's got a number 5, though, you're on your own there. "Gift Items, Novelties" could be who-knows-what. But don't worry, this "line" includes "over 150 fast sellers" so it's not like you're going to be stuck with a bunch of junk. Right?

I like the cute little cartoon dudes on this ad, extolling the delightful benefits of these lovely nylon SOX. Or is it SOCKS? They can't seem to decide.

This is a crack-up!  First of all, they are giving away 10 sets of silverware as first-place prizes... and "over 25 second-place discount awards." Uh-huh. I bet the "over 25" number equals exactly however many people respond.

Secondly, the way you enter is to identify the flowers by filling in the missing letters. And if that's too hard they helpfully provide the answer for you! But be sure to write very neatly, in pencil. This is the funny part: "Easy Rule #2: Entries will be judged by an ordained minister the day the contest closes on following rules, correctness and spelling." So... apparently ordained ministers are experts on flower types and spelling. Who knew?

Here's a sweet Children's Coin Purse that "would be treasured by any little girl." The article assures us that "one can get pleasing results by using gold for the front; purple for the wing splotches; cerise for the back, handle and body; and green sequins on the wings." Now, they can't promise what your results will be if you use black and green, as pictured... nor do they tell us what color cerise is. I had to Google it to find out it is a "deep to vivid reddish pink." I know they didn't have Google back in 1952, but maybe housewives 60 years ago weren't as ignorant as me. (Be honest. Did you know what color cerise is? Okay, if you did know, don't tell me.)

 We "stout women" can take comfort knowing that "style counts more than size"...

 ...that is, until we see the tiny little waists in the styles for the "non-stout" ladies! *sigh*

 I have to remind myself: These are drawings! Most real women weren't built like that, not even back in the day. But aren't they such pretty drawings? I do love looking at them!

It is somewhat discouraging, though, to read this 60-year-old article on the "most common form of malnutrition in the United States" which states that "at least one-fifth of the population... is overweight." That's 20%. Just Googled the current trends. Today's statistic is "more than one-third" (35.7%). With easy access to just about any food we can think about year 'round, it sure seems to me that ought not to be. Something's gone haywire, for sure. Kinda interesting that they call obesity a form of "malnutrition," isn't it?

Well, that's it for this time. I hope to scan more Workbaskets soon.

Ta-ta!